Buffalo Mascot & The Herdsmen
WTAMU's Live Buffalo Mascot & Its Handlers

West Texas A&M Lands Pair of Buffalo Calves
Click Here To Read About New Mascots

The first University buffaloes were purchased in 1922 from Colonel and Mrs. Charles C. Goodnight and were appropriately named Charles C. (Charlie) and Mary Ann. Both lived on campus, but it was Charlie who captured the spotlight, ran the sidelines at the football games and paraded the Homecoming streets. Charlie, after 13 years as the University's first mascot, died in 1935 and was mounted for posterity. The huge lifeless figure failed to motivate the football team as he once had and was finally retired to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.

The University went without a live mascot until Thunder (called Lollipop) was purchased in 1977. Thunder II (Buford), Thunder III (Max) and Thunder IV (B.J., the offspring of Buford and Lollipop) took turns until 1987 when Thunder V (Ladee), began her nine-year reign. Ladee, now retired at a ranch just outside of Muleshoe, was replaced in January 1996 with a seven-month-old, 400-pound female calf. Officially, she is known as Thunder VI and has been given the nickname Sadee.

Sadee is cared for year-round by the Herdsmen, an on-campus spirit organization comprised of students who promote school spirit, leadership and service. The Herdsmen have been responsible for each live mascot since Thunder I in 1977. Undoubtedly, the Herdsmen provide one of the most cherished and unique services to West Texas A&M and their work is appreciated by thousands upon thousands of alumni who fondly look upon Sadee as a source of great pride and tradition at WT.

Buffalo Marching Band & Buffalo Pep Band
The Best Band in All the Land

The WTAMU Buffalo Marching Band has firmly established itself as one of the finest marching bands in the nation. It will typically perform at five or six home football games at Kimbrough Stadium, march in two parades and travel to one out of town football game to support the Buffalo Football Team. The Buffalo Marching Band is frequently asked to perform exhibition performances at marching festivals and contests in the state of Texas. The Buffalo Marching Band traditionally maintains one of the highest grade point averages on campus.

The WTAMU Pep Band performs at most home basketball games, providing entertainment during timeouts and at halftime. Formerly known as "The Band in The Box" when basketball played at the Fieldhouse, the Pep Band now rocks the First United Bank Center during January and February.

Bucky & The WTAMU Cheer Squad
Everybody's Favorite Lovable Mascot

Bucky has been a favorite of little Buff fans for years. The lovable mascot can be seen throughout the year at football, basketball and volleyball games and he makes special appearances all over the Panhandle. The WTAMU Cheer Squad delights fans with acrobatic tosses, gymnastic routines and enthusiastic cheers at almost every home game.

Wendy's is proud to be the official sponsor of Bucky.

2006-07 WTAMU Cheer Squad Team Photo

Cheerleading Tryout Information
Application

Homecoming & Bonfire
A Tradition for the Ages

Floats, barbecue, golf, football and a bonfire can mean only one thing- Homecoming at West Texas A&M University.

Each year on Friday night of Homecoming Week following Pigskin Review, the University President leads a torch procession to the corner of Spur 48 & WTAMU Drive where he lights a 40-foot tall bonfire that can be seen for miles and miles across the Panhandle horizon and will burn into the wee hours of the morning.

On Saturday leading up to the Homecoming Football Game, alumni and revelers enjoy the Homecoming Parade through the streets of Canyon, Fair on the Square downtown, home-cooked barbecue and many other fun activities. Then it's time to head over to Kimbrough Memorial Stadium and catch the Buffaloes in action.

Fight Song & Alma Mater
The University's Fight Song was written by Jack Curtice, a member of the football coaching staff from 1938 - 1941. Other fight songs have been introduced, one as recently as 1963, but none have been able to undermine the popularity of Curtice's "On, On Buffaloes."

On, on Buffaloes,
We are right for the fight tonight;
Hold that ball and hit that line,
Every buffalo will shine;
And then we'll fight for maroon and white,
And we'll roar for the old varsity;
We'll kick, pass and run
Till those ________ are done;

And we'll bring home the victory!

W -- T -- A -- M, WTAM, Fight! Fight! Fight!

The University's Alma Mater was written in 1921 by S. Elizabeth Davis, assistant professor of English. During the years that chapel attendance was required, the singing of the Alma Mater was a ritual that brought the morning's program to a close. " Sing with enthusiasm as well as with reverence and feeling," Wallace R. Clark, head of the music department, would say. He was equally adamant about singing the Alma Mater only on appropriate occasions. "It is a hymn," he declared firmly, "and should be sung with a reverent attitude when and where a spirit of reverence is fitting." Students learned Clark's lessons well, and even after more than 80 years, the Alma Mater is sung in reverence by current and former students, standing tall and with "horns" held high.

Over boundless reach of prairie,
Over rolling plains,
Over cliff and crag and canyon,
Alma Mater reigns!

To Maroon and white our colors,
We would faithful be --
Hearts as bold as western breezes,
Souls as pure and free!

Round thy image, Alma Mater,
Hallowed memories twine;
Bless the sacred ties of friendship
Pledged before thy shrine.

Thou hast taught us, Alma Mater,
All we have to give;
In the joy of loving service,
Ever let us live.

Alma Mater! Alma Mater!
We will faithful be;
Through the years that lie before us
We'll remember thee!

Download Alma Mater

Hand Sign

Fold your middle three fingers to your palm, extend your thumb and little finger and you've got your own set of buffalo horns. The sign, with hand held high, is proudly displayed during the alma mater, when a player is injured and as an energetic addition to cheers and the fight song.

Standing Tall

"Ehhhhhhvry-buddy uppppp" is a familiar cry at "The Box" and the First United Bank Center before every WTAMU volleyball and basketball game. Fans stand and clap in rhythm for the Buffs and Lady Buffs until the opponents score. Sounds like no big deal until you experience a lengthy dose of Buffalo domination.

Buffalo Stampede
Everybody loves a touchdown, but it's the traditional buffalo run across the field that really gets everyone excited, especially when the University mascot hits its stride and the handlers lose their footing. It's all part of the game.